Denver and OKC on SundayOklahoma City will host Denver on Sunday, and the opening tip is slated for 7:05 PM ET. This will be the second meeting of the season between these Northwest Division rivals. Current (9:00 AM ET)NBA odds board indicates that Oklahoma City is a 16.0 point favorite in this contest. The Thunder was a 117-93 winner at home against Denver on 11/1. Oklahoma City has gone 4-0 SU&ATS in its last four at home versus Denver, and their average margin of victory was 20.3 points per game.

Peaks and Valleys for Nuggets
Denver went a successful 5-1 between 12/3 and 12/15. Prior to that stretch, they had lost seven games in a row. They’ll enter Sunday’s contest having gone a dismal 1-4 SU&ATS in their last five games, and that includes a 101-86 loss last night in San Antonio. Needless to say, they’ve been plagued by their inconsistency, and their current record of 12-18 is indicative of that shortcoming. The Nuggets recent defensive play has left a lot to be desired. They’ve allowed opponents to shoot 47% or better from their field in six of its last seven games. Denver’s opponents have converted on a sizzling 39% of their three point attempts this season, and that includes 43.6% during the Nuggets previous five contests.

The Billy Donovan Effect
It took a little bit of getting used to, but the Thunder has really bought into first year head coach Billy Donovan’s system. Most notably, they’ve drastically improved on the defensive side of the floor. Case in point, the Thunder has allowed less than 100 points in thirteen of its previous sixteen games. That attention to detail has resulted in Oklahoma City going 13-4 in their last seventeen, and 9-2 during its previous eleven games. When Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook are both healthy, Oklahoma City has always been a dynamic offensive team. They’ve become an even more formidable force with their stellar defensive play exhibited during recent weeks.

Final Thoughts & Pick
I’ve never been a proponent of laying this many points in a NBA game. I’ve always been of the opinion that there’s more ways to lose against the spread on double digit favorites, compared to an alternative result. For my NBA picks, I’ll have a very small lean on the home favorite for one of my Sunday plays.